Food Scientist

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW:
You will contribute to this role by being responsible for independently leading and conducting value-added, actionable sensory and consumer research, executed locally to drive business performance.
You will work as a partner, delivering excellent sensory and consumer guidance to research projects, the development and improvement of new and existing products, and the development and global implementation of best practice sensory and consumer methodology.
The job holder will be expected to build in-depth product and commercial knowledge to enhance the value they bring to projects.
The role contributes to the planning and implementation of assigned research programs/projects that lead to actionable business results.
The role requires the job holder to work under a moderate degree of autonomy to plan and conduct independent projects as a fully engaged cross-functional partner interacting with senior leaders as required aligning on research deliverables.
The job holder develops project objectives and strategies independently in response to business needs, executing against same and recommending action plans to implement key findings.
The job holder is able to solve complex problems and get things done through both formal and informal channels.
The job holder significantly impacts the directions/quality of work done by other technical people and delivers expert technical knowledge representing the function.
The job holder interacts regularly with key stakeholders and may direct activities of junior professionals and/or temporary staff while completing assignments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Lead and conduct single or multi stage large projects, delivering to the required standards and agreed timescales, including designing research to meet objectives, managing suppliers of sensory and consumer data to produce and interrupt high quality actionable results, reporting/presenting findings, making recommendations and contributing to decision making.
This role will include a strong element of linking sensory and consumer data to provide project teams with accurate, impactful, and actionable reports, to both internal and external clients, with conclusions and recommendations resulting from the research findings, ensuring projects are delivered to successful completion.
To conduct multi-phase consumer science research programs for new product development, productivity testing and quality improvements by incorporating consumer, descriptive, discrimination and analytical testing methodologies.
Lead DOE studies including the statistical principles applied as part of the overall research plan.
Understands and applies multi-variate statistical methods to gain deeper understanding and insights from research conducted when appropriate.
Lead all aspects of consumer research both qualitative and quantitative including the integration/linking of descriptive and consumer data into a cohesive story. SKILLS:

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
BS in Food Science and/or Technology or a related discipline (eg Psychology, Statistics, Consumer science) with minimum 6 years relevant training/work experience with sensory evaluation and consumer research as a core element of the role, including statistical analysis of data (especially design of experiments and multi-variate techniques).
Proven track record of experience in the application of sensory (descriptive, discrimination), consumer research (CLT, HUT, focus groups) and other related technical fields, such as physiology, psychology and statistics in an FMCG client side commercial environment.
Ability to integrate sensory and consumer methods into research plans, integrate data and draw conclusions.
Proven experience of partnering with client/stakeholders as individuals and teams, ability to influence is essential, as a strong element of this role will be the ability to build and maintain relationships.
Proven experience in line management and the ability to lead coach and mentor others.
Must have excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
Strong organizational, planning and interpersonal skills and be able to work with flexibility.
Computer literate, inquisitive, self-starter.
Knowledge of biscuit products is a plus.
Partner with clients to deliver excellent sensory and consumer guidance and contribute to decision making.
Lead and conduct Consumer Science projects to produce high-quality, value-added, actionable research delivered to agreed timelines.
Develop and maintain knowledge of category.
Contribute to Category and Global Consumer Science Objectives.
A motivated self-starter and team player.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Committed to maintaining a safe working environment for both self and others.